Daniel Tosh is one of the most popular comedians in the nation. He is a regular performer on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and has appeared on other late night shows with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel, Craig Kilborn, as well as numerous comedy specials. I asked him about his first open-mic performance, advice for kids today, and his upcoming Comedy Central stand-up special.

Nearly all stand-up comedians have horror stories when they talk about the first time they performed in front of an audience. Was your first set any different?

DANIEL TOSH: I had a 17 minute standing ovation after my first set. Ok, what really happened was that I looked in an Orlando newspaper when I was 19, found an open-mic night. I just assumed it was for comedy, turns out it was for music. They said “Sure you can do stand-up.” It was also a contest, so I had to pay $10 and the audience, which was the people eating in the restaurant that night would judge it. After my second joke I was getting rim shots from the drummer who was setting up. I didn’t stick around but I assume I won, so if you ran that room and are reading this, send me my fucking $80 first prize, #####!

You’re known for your racy topics that make light of subjects such as rape, racism, and homophobia. Are there any topics that you won’t touch?

DT: I really have no good juggling material, maybe because crowds don’t guffaw over the two tennis ball routine.

Where is your favorite place to perform at and why?

DT: I’m a homer, so the closer to my house the better (Hermosa Beach). If I could get crowds to gather around my bed, that would be ideal. I also like doing stand-up in places that I can surf, snowboard, or anywhere that I have a pregnancy scare. #####, don’t lie to me!

What would you be doing if you didn’t have a career in comedy?

DT: I would probably be famous.

One of your jokes is about a father giving his young son the birds-and-the-bees talk, telling him that girls his age “wouldn’t dress like that if they didn’t wanna get fingered.“� What other special advice do you have for today’s youth?

DT: Don’t throw my words back in my face! In all seriousness, the only advice I have for today’s youth is to date outside your race. I just think it’s so cute when I see little kids in interracial relationships; it makes me feel like I’m watching a commercial.

Any plans to release another CD at any time?�DT: I’m sure the new DVD will be released in CD form as well, but it may have some of my old stuff on it. I have no control of what Comedy Central actually airs, I did about an hour and half and then it’s up to them. Most of my old stuff I usually have mixed up anyway, because I forgot how it goes.